The Lesser Known Dangers Of Tanning Beds

The Lesser Known Dangers Of Tanning Beds

Many people prepare for the summer sun by hitting a tanning bed, so they can hit the beach with a little color. One reason to avoid them altogether is obviously skin cancer, but there are some lesser known reasons to skip the bed.

Many people prepare for the summer sun by hitting a tanning bed, so they can hit the beach with a little color. One reason to avoid them altogether is obviously skin cancer, but there are some lesser known reasons to skip the bed.

Tanning beds can suppress your immune system, cause problems with your eyes and make you look older due to skin damage and photo-aging.

Tanning beds radiate UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply and damages collagen, which is the basic building block of our skin, and elastin, which helps to keep us looking younger.

Studies have linked tanning bed use to an increased risk of all forms of skin cancers. In fact, your risk can go up as much as 15 percent for every 4 visits.

A 2010 study even found bacteria like e.coli on tanning beds in New York City.

"It's that younger, female age group that's really starting to have an increased risk of melanoma, in particular, but skin cancers and it's hard to know exactly what to attribute that to but probably the biggest thing we're seeing is that younger women are the ones in tanning beds," said Dr. Jennifer Lucas, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Lucas says sunless tanning is the safest way to tan. She recommends store-bought or professionally done spray-tans to get your healthy glow.